Lot Essay
For a nearly identical set of stirrups and saddle frame see William Watson, ed., The Great Japan Exhibition, Art of the Edo Period 1600-1868 (London: Royal Academy of Arts, 1981), no. 242, p. 281
Details
A MATCHING LACQUERED-WOOD SADDLE FRAME AND PAIR OF LACQUERED-IRON STIRRUPS
edo period (dated 1727), signed masanaga and with kakihan
Decorated in very high relief with Manchurian cranes flying over cresting waves and rocks in gold takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, okibirame and details of the heads of the cranes in red and black lacquer and eyes inlaid in crystal, the grounds nashiji, the underside of the saddle frame polished wood and inscribed with the signature as above and date Kyoho juninen rokugatsu nijuichi-nichi (Kyoho 12, 6th month, twenty-first day), the three parts of the frame fastened by purple suede cords on the underside; the stirrups decorated en suite on the outer surfaces, the foot pad nashiji, each pierced with a peach emblem below the upper connecting buckle--saddle 10¾in. (27.3cm.) high, 14½in. (36.8cm.) long (3)
edo period (dated 1727), signed masanaga and with kakihan
Decorated in very high relief with Manchurian cranes flying over cresting waves and rocks in gold takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, okibirame and details of the heads of the cranes in red and black lacquer and eyes inlaid in crystal, the grounds nashiji, the underside of the saddle frame polished wood and inscribed with the signature as above and date Kyoho juninen rokugatsu nijuichi-nichi (Kyoho 12, 6th month, twenty-first day), the three parts of the frame fastened by purple suede cords on the underside; the stirrups decorated en suite on the outer surfaces, the foot pad nashiji, each pierced with a peach emblem below the upper connecting buckle--saddle 10¾in. (27.3cm.) high, 14½in. (36.8cm.) long (3)
Provenance
Gilbertson Collection, Great Britain